Wingham in command of series with Kincardine

Ironmen forward Corey Restoule (centre) scores a powerplay goal Feb. 21 against the Bulldogs at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine. Wingham went on to win the game 5-2.Steve Cornwell / Postmedia Network

The win marks the fourth in a row for the Ironmen, who are 7-1 in the playoffs, while the Bulldogs (4-5) will need to win Sunday night at the Davidson Centre to force a fifth game in the series.

Collinson, 19, was recognized as the best defencemen and most valuable player in the Pollock division for the 2018-19 season. The defensemen, who is from Listowel, had 64 points over 42 games in the regular season.

Wingham head coach Cory Hamilton said Collinson, who has 15 points over eight playoff games for the Ironmen, is a huge part of the team with a unique competitive drive.

“It’s hard to keep him off the ice just because of how valuable he is and what he does out there,” Hamilton said. “You wish everyone competed at the same level that he did. That allows him to be as good as he is.”

Following a rough first-round match-up with the Mitchell Hawks, the Bulldogs have suffered through injuries with forwards Joshua Traynor, Tyler Sutter and Brett Burrows all missing games in the Wingham series. Tanner Stevenson and Cameron Hoskins have stepped in for the Bulldogs.

Kincardine coach Mike Fair said part of the team’s strength is its depth and the way to beat the Ironmen starts with staying out of the penalty box to avoid Wingham’s powerplay, which was over 30 per cent successful during the regular season.

“We better play with a little bit of discipline,” he said. “Try and stay out of the box and just keep working hard.”

The Bulldogs also have a Pollock award winner in Logan Freiburger, who won the most sportsmanlike award for the division this season.

“He’s the hardest working guy in this league with his work ethic,” Fair said. “And yet, for the minutes that he plays and how hard he plays, he hardly ever takes penalties.”

Game four of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Sunday night in Kincardine at the Davidson Centre.